Motorless toy airplane



April 1938. F. A. CHRISTIANSEN MOTORLESS TOY AIRPLANE Filed July 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 12, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTORLESS TOY AIRPLANE Application July 16, 1937, Serial No. 154,109

20 Claims.

This invention relates to a toy airplane apparatus driven by manually operated means.

An object of the invention is to provide a manually operated toy airplane which is exceedingly simple in construction, and which requires a less number of parts than toy airplanes of this general type that are adapted to fly about a central pylon and perform various stunts.

Another object of the invention is to regulate by means of remote control manually operated means, the movement of the plane whereby to cause it to wing over or "barrel roll by varying the speed of flight.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a toy airplane of the type described, a novel mounting means for the plane so as to permit it to freely pivot about its longitudinal central axis, and to be quickly removed to allow replacement of another type of plane.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a toy airplane having wing surfaces which, during certain speeds of flight, cause the plane to barrel roll as it flies around a central pylon.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter throughout the specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a device embodying my invention showing the planein flight;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the structure shown in Figure 1, through substantially the center of the pylon;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the lines 33 of Figure 2 looking in a downward direction;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the lines 4--4 of Figure 3, looking in an upward direction;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the control means showing its connection to the pylon;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the tail surfaces of the plane, and showing the rod upon which the plane is mounted;

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of the airplane,

showing generally the parts illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a central vertical section of the plane as shown on the lines 88 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken through the right wing of the plane, as viewed in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken through the left wing of the plane, as viewed in Figure 1, and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the wing surfaces.

In the drawings, the numeral I indicates a pylon. Said pylon is detachably mounted on a base 2. The upper portion of the pylon is provided with a cap 3 through which extends a shaft 4. The sleeve 5, through which the shaft 4 extends, forms a bearing for said shaft to prevent wob- 5 bling of said shaft. The lower portion of the shaft 4 which may be termed the driven shaft, is hollow and is provided with a slot 8, communicating with the hollow interior of the shaft. Lo-

cated below the shaft 4 is a driving shaft I, the 10.

upper portion 8 of which extends within the shaft 4. The driving shaft I is provided with a pin 9 which projects into the slot so as'to provide a driving connection between the shafts I and 4, I that will allow the shaft 4 to slide on the shaft I 15 as it is rotated thereby. This is due to the fact that the upper portion of theshaft I extends within the hollow lower'end of the shaft 4, and the pin 9 engages the sides of the slots 6 and rotates the shaft 4 as the shaft I is rotated, by 20 means hereinafter described.

The base 2 is provided with a bearing l0 which houses the lower end of the driving shaft 1. Mounted on the shaft 'I is a beveled gear II, which is splined or otherwise fixed to said shaft. 25 Also attached above the beveled ear is a worm l2 which drives a worm wheel I3, to which is attached a crank I4. The end of the crank l4 has pivotally attached thereto a rod l5 whose opposite end is pivotally attached to a yoke l8 which 30 surrounds a sleeve II that is adjustably fixed by means of a screw I8 to the shaft 4. There is a second bearing IS in the base 2 which houses the shaft 20 having mounted thereon the pinion 2|, which is in meshed relation with the gear II, 35 and which drives said gear. The middle portion of the shaft I is housed in a bearing 22 formed at the upper end of the supporting arm 23 mounted on the base 2. Said arm 23 also is provided with a bearing 24, Figure 3, which supports the 40 worm wheel I3 in such manner that it is always in proper meshed relation with the worm I2. The parts l2, I3, I4, I5 and I6 comprise an offset drive means for causing the plane 44 and its supporting arm 40 to have up and down'movements. 45

Adjustably mounted upon the shaft 4 by means of the screw 25, is a collar 26, and surrounding the shaft 4 is an expansible coil spring 21 having its lower end bearing against the collar 28 and its upper end against an abutment 28 forming the lower end of the bearing 5. Said spring tends to force the shaft 4 downwardly, to thereby counterbalance the weight of the plane and its support. Mounted on the cap 3 is a washer 29 having an aperture through which the shaft 4 extends. 55

The numeral 30 indicates a decorative globeshaped member having a disk-like base 3| and an aperture 32, through which the shaft 4 extends. The upper end of the shaft 4 is provided with a pivot 33. Pivotally attached at the pivot 33 is an arm 34 which is supported by a second arm 35 having its upper end pivoted at 35 to said first named arm and attached by a pivot 31 to the disk-like base 3|. The globe-shaped member 30 is provided with a slot 38, the arm 34 being adapted to move up and down in said slot, according to the position of the airplane now about to be described.

Detachably connected as by the cotter pin 39 is a rod 40 which extends within an aperture 4| in the arm 34. Said rod 40 is provided with an aperture, not shown, through which the cotter pin 39 extends. The opposite end of the rod 40 has a curved portion 42 and a right-angled rod portion 43, which extends within the plane 44. Said airplane is provided with a propeller 45 which is freely pivoted at 46 so as to be driven by the air as the plane is turned about the pylon i. Said propeller is not otherwise driven. The numeral 41 indicates ground-engaging wheels mounted on struts 48. The plane 44 is detachably mounted on the right-angled portion 43 of the rod 40, as follows:

Said right-angled rod portion 43 is provided with one or more collars 49 and the interior of the body of the plane is provided with at least two (only one being shown) bearings, similar to the bearing 50, which are provided with apertures 5| to allow the plane 44 to be mounted on the portion 43 or detached therefrom. It will be noted that the plane may freely tilt about said portion 43 and is caused to automatically tilt by the means hereafter to be described. There is a spring 52, the left portion of which (Figure 6) is attached by glue or other suitable means to the interior of the plane and which is adapted to bear against the collar 49, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. By grasping the end 53 of the spring and pulling downwardly, as viewed in Figure 8, the spring may be released from the collar 49 so as to allow the withdrawal of the plane from the rod portion 43, and the insertion of another plane of different type, in place thereof. There may be a number of planes provided of different types, such as bombers, commercial planes, observation planes, etc.

The plane is provided with ailerons 54 and 55, the surfaces of which are illustrated in cross section in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings. The rear edges of the ailerons are preferably provided with clips 56 to hold in adjustment the rear edges of the wings which have been bent, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The shape of these ailerons, as shown in these figures, causes the plane to "barrel roll" as it flies around the pylon.

When the plane has attained proper speed by the means hereinafter to be described, the differently shaped surfaces of the ailerons will cause the plane to rotate about its central axis and cause the plane to "wing over or barrel roll".

The base 2 is provided with an aperture 51 into which is adapted to fit a pin 58, attached to a housing 59, the opposite end of which is provided with a bridge or cross-over 30 for the plane to travel over when running on the ground. The runway 60 is also provided with a pin 5|, which fits within an aperture in another housing member 62, the opposite end of which is provided with a pin 63 which fits within an aperture 64, of the control device 65. Said control device is P O- vided with a disk 66 and a handle 61. The central portion of the disk 66 has a bearing sleeve 68 which extends within the aperture 59, of the control device, and attached to the sleeve 63 is a flexible driving shaft I0, which may be composed of braided wire, and whose opposite end is drivingly connected to the shaft 20.

' There may be as many housing members 59 and 62 as need be necessary, according to the length of the flexible driving shaft 10.

Operation Rotation of the disk 65 by the handle 31 causes the flexible driving shaft to rotate pinion 2|, which drives the beveled gear I l, thereby rotating shaft I. Rotation of the shaft 1 causes the rotation of the shaft 4 and movement of the parts, including the globe 30, arm 34, rod 40, and plane 44 around a center defined by the axis of shafts 4 and I. Rotation of said shaft 1 also causes worm i2, and worm gear i 3, to be rotated, and the up and down movement of the shaft 4 by means of the crank l4, rod l5, and yoke l6. It will be appreciated that the sleeve i1, being fixed to driven shaft 4, rotates with said shaft, and that the yoke l6 does not rotate, but its engagement with the sleeve l1 causes the shaft 4 to move up and down as said yoke is so moved by the crank l4, and rod i5. The upward movement of the shaft I4 is resisted by the spring 21, but said resistance is overcome by the movement of the parts [4, l5 and IS.

The principal function of the spring 21 is to counterbalance the weight of the plane, and its supporting parts, and relieve the gears Ii and 2|, and I2 and I3, from the strain of supporting these parts. As said shaft 4 is reciprocated in .a vertical direction, the rod 40 and the plane 44 supported thereby, are caused to be raised and lowered. These parts are preferably so adjusted that the plane will rest on the ground when not in use. It will take-off and begin to ascend as its speed of rotation increases, about the pylon I, when the handle 61 is turned. The plane will rise to the position shown in Figure 2, when rotated by the handle 61. The plane 44, after having taken-off, will gradually rise and fall one or more times for each revolution of the plane about the central pylon. While this is taking place, the surfaces 54 and 55 of the ailerons of the plane, when sufficient speed has been reached, will cause the plane to barrel roll", or rotate on its central longitudinal axis. The plane, therefore, has three distinct movements: first, it moves in a circle about the pylon I; second, it seeks elevation and approaches the ground in regular sequence, and third, it rotates about its longitudinal axis. These movements of the plane present an interesting spectacle to a child, or other person operating the plane.

It will be further noted that all of the parts are simple and of sturdy construction, and that no comparatively expensive mechanism is employed, such as electric motors, and the driving parts therefor. It is also to be noted that foot operated means may be substituted for the hand operated means shown.

The foregoing description and drawings are understood to be for illustrative purposes only, and it is further understood that'the invention is adaptable to various modifications. I desire to be limited therefore in the practice of my invention only to the extent as defined by the appended claims. For instance, I may substitute for the driving connection between disk 66 and the shaft 1, instead of the flexible wire drive, any other well known drive, such as a belt and pulley drive, or a rigid shaft drive, or a chain drive.

I claim:-

1. A .toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for causing said plane to travel around said center, including driving and driven shafts, a slidable driving connection between said shafts whereby said driven shaft may be rotated by said driving shaft and may slide in relation thereto, an arm mounted on said driven shaft, said plane being mounted on said arm, means driven by said driving shaft and connected to said driven shaft for causing said driven shaft to slide with relation to said driving shaft and compel up and down movements of said plane, and manual means for causing said planeto move about said supporting and guiding means.

2. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center comprising a flexible shaft, a driving and driven shaft, said driving and driven shafts being connected by a telescoping driving connection, means driven by said drive shaft for causing said driven shaft to slide with relation to said driving shaft and compel said plane to have up and down movements while in flight, and said plane having surfaces to cause the same to roll on its central longitudinal axis when in flight.

3. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for causing said plane to travel around said center, including driving and driven shafts, a slidable connection between said shafts whereby said driven shaft may be rotated by said driving shaft, and may slide thereon, an arm mounted on said driven shaft, said plane being mounted on said arm, manual means for causing said plane to move about said supporting and guiding means, and offset drive means connected to said driving and driven shafts for causing said plane to be raised and lowered as said plane moves around said center during flight.

4. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center comprising driving and driven shafts, hand operated means for driving said shafts, and offset drive means for causing said plane to be alternately raised and lowered as it moves around said center during flight.

5. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding -the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center comprising driving and driven shafts, hand operated means for driving said shafts, means for causing said plane to be raised and lowered as it moves around said center during flight, said raising and lowering means including a crank, means for driving said crank from said driving shaft, and a connection from said crank to said driven shaft.

6. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for moving said plane around said center including a control located remote from said center, hand operated means for operating said control, a

flexible'drive shaft connected to said hand operating means, means connecting said flexible drive means'to a driving shaft, a driven shaft having an aperture and a slot, one end of said driving shaft being adapted to extend within said aperture and having a pin extending within said slot, whereby to permit said driven shaft to slide relative to said driving shaft, means connected to said driving and driven shafts to cause said driven shaft to move in a vertical direction as said driving shaft is rotated, and means connecting said plane to said driven shaft whereby said plane is raised and lowered as said shaft is moved in a vertical direction during the flight of said plane.

a 7. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center comprising driving and driven shafts, hand operated means for driving said shafts, said plane supporting means includingmeans on said plane to permit free rotation of said plane on its longitudinal axis, and additional means on said plane to cause the same to rotate on said longitudinal axis when in flight.

8. A toy airplane apparatus-comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, hand operated means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including supports on said plane permitting free turning movements of the same about its longitudinal axis, and additional means on said plane for causing the same to rotate on its longitudinal axis while in flight.

9. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including supports on said plane permitting free turning movements of the same about its longitudinal axis, and additional means on said plane for causing the same to rotate on its longitudinal axis while in flight.

10. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including supports on said plane permitting free turning movements 01" the same about its longitudinal axis, and additional means on said plane for causing the same to rotate on its longitudinal axis while in flight, and means for detachably mounting said plane on said supporting means.

11. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including supports on said plane permitting free turning movements of the same about its longitudinal axis, additional means on said plane for causing the same to rotate on its longitudinal axis while in flight, said additional means on said plane comprising oppositely curved aileron surfaces.

12. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including supports on said plane permitting free turning movements of the same about its longitudinal axis, additional means on said plane for causing the same to rotate on its longitudinal axis while in flight, said additional means on said plane comprising oppositely curved aileron surfaces, and clips attached to said oppositely curved surfaces.

13. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane, around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including a rod having a rightangled portion extending longitudinally of said plane, and a bearing member adjacent the rear of said plane into which said extension protrudes when said plane is mounted thereon.

14. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including a rod having a rightangled portion extending longitudinally of said plane, and a bearing member adjacent the rear of said plane into which said extension protrudes when said plane is mounted thereon, a collar on said extension, and a spring mounted on said plane, said spring being adapted normally to cause said collar to remain in juxtaposed position'to said bearing member, but when released permits said collar and bearing to be moved with relation to each other, whereby to permit removal of said plane from said supporting means.

15. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding said plane around a center, said plane having oppositely inclined wing surfaces, and said supporting means including a pivotal longitudinal support for said plane whereby said plane wing surfaces will cause said plane to rotate on its longitudinal axis when in flight, and manual ly operated means for causing said plane to fly around said center, said last named means including means to cause said plane to have undulatory movements toward and from a supporting surface as the same flies around said center.

16. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding said plane around a center, said plane having oppositely inclined wing surfaces, and said supporting'means including a pivotal longitudinal support for said plane whereby said plane wing surfaces will cause said plane to rotate on its longitudinal axis when in flight, and means for causing said plane to fly around said center, said last named means including means to cause said plane to have undulatory movements toward and from a supporting surface as the same flies around said center.

1'7. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, hand operated means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including supports on said plane permitting free turning movements of the same about its longitudinal axis, and additional means on said plane for causing the same to rotate on its longitudinal axis while in flight, said additional means comprising ailerons with oppositely curved surfaces in transverse cross section to provide upwardly and downwardly extending trailing edges, and clips attached to said trailing edges to retain the same in the proper position of curvature.

18. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center, said plane supporting means including a rod having a rightangled portion extending longitudinally of said plane, and entering the rear thereof, and a bearing member in said plane through which said extension protrudes when said plane is mounted thereon to thereby support said plane on said extension. 7

19. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center comprising driving and driven shafts, hand operated means for driving said shafts, offset drive means for causing said plane to be raised and lowered as it moves around said center during flight, and means for relieving said ofiset drive means from strain. I

20. A toy airplane apparatus comprising a toy plane and including means for supporting and guiding the plane around a center, means for driving said plane around said center comprising driving and driven shafts, hand operated means for driving said shafts, offset drive means for causing said plane to be raised and lowered as it moves around said center during flight, and spring means for relieving said offset drive means from strain.

FREDERICK- A. CHRISTIANSEN. 

